Guyana confident in ICJ case, hopes for end to longstanding controversy 

Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali expressed confidence that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award that established the boundary between his country and neighbouring Venezuela.

At a press conference on Friday, the President reflected on the recent oral submissions before the court. Dr. Ali said he was proud of the representation made and believed that opposing submissions lacked merit.

Following those submissions made, the Court has to deliberate and hand down its judgment, expected by the end of 2026. The Guyanese Head of State hopes this will bring an end to the longstanding controversy.

“We will respect Venezuela’s sovereignty as we have always done

“We hope that after passions recede… they will conclude, as we have done, that both states are best served by an end to this longstanding conflict,” President Ali told reporters.

Guyana has asked the court to confirm that the boundary defined in the 1899 award and demarcated in the 1905 agreement remains the lawful international border.

The case was filed by Guyana in 2018 after the United Nations Secretary-General referred the matter to the ICJ under the 1966 Geneva Agreement.

The controversy centres on the Essequibo region, a vast, resource-rich area that makes up more than two-thirds of Guyana’s territory but is claimed by Venezuela. Over the years, the ICJ has already ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case and that Guyana’s claims are admissible, clearing the way for the recent hearings on the merits.